1
as in speech
the art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively
a presidential hopeful with a gift for oratory and a highly charismatic personality
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2
as in rhetoric
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the politician's oratory sounded good only to people who didn't bother to think
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oratory
Revisiting ancient Greek oratory and today’s communication courses, speaking has obviously been prioritized over listening.
—
Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Netanyahu has done little to aid Ukraine even in his oratory.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Revisiting ancient Greek oratory and today’s communication courses, speaking has obviously been prioritized over listening.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Netanyahu has done little to aid Ukraine even in his oratory.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Revisiting ancient Greek oratory and today’s communication courses, speaking has obviously been prioritized over listening.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratory
Noun
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Then, record yourself giving a speech on the fly, using only your outline for guidance.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
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In his keynote speech, Guisa presented statistics that illustrated the advantages of genre pics, specifically horror, in the worldwide market.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
25 June 2025
Noun
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The bond market turmoil reportedly prompted Trump’s administration to retreat from some of its more aggressive trade war rhetoric.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
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In recent weeks, investor worries have eased in response to calmer rhetoric on tariffs from the White House and forecasts that the Federal Reserve rate will lower interest rates, analysts told CBS MoneyWatch.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The recordings also capture Bell’s family background in elocution (his father, grandfather, and brother all taught the subject).—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Apr. 2018
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The Bartlet staff’s righteous (and self-righteous) elocution might seem — to the cynical — sentimental, treacly, smarmy, or just eye-roll-inducingly dumb.—
Lizzie Logan,
Vulture,
23 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Her writing and public speaking focus on wrongful convictions, storytelling, and personal transformation.—
Memoir Nation
May 19,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2025
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The Leo full moon on the 12th encourages you to use your voice more boldly, whether that’s through writing, teaching, public speaking, or social media.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratory. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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